LARKER CREATES A MESMERIZING SOUND UNIVERSE WITH NEW ALBUM ROMANTICIDE
Larker’s Romanticide feels like the kind of record that sneaks up on you — mysterious at first, then suddenly all-consuming. It’s an album that doesn’t chase trends or noise; instead, it builds a world of its own. You can hear the intention behind every sound, every lyric, every small detail that feels carefully placed but never overthought. It’s moody and alive, full of atmosphere and heart, blurring the line between dream and confession.
This isn’t background music. Romanticide is the kind of album that asks you to sit with it, to listen from start to finish, to feel what it’s saying. Larker doesn’t hold your hand or explain anything — he opens the door and lets you step inside. What unfolds is an experience that feels cinematic and deeply personal all at once, a collection of songs that evolve, surprise, and ultimately stay with you long after they’ve ended. Let’s dig in:
“Intro” opens Romanticide with a haunting mix of textures and atmosphere that instantly sets the tone. The sounds are eerie yet deliberate, pulling you into the world Larker is about to create. It feels less like a song and more like a descent, the calm before the storm that is about to unfold.
“Myriad” is one of the most striking tracks we have heard in a long time. It lives somewhere between indie and new wave, pulling from both worlds to create something fresh and captivating. The guitars shimmer, the drums hit hard, and Larker’s vocals carry that perfect mix of smooth confidence and raw edge, silky one moment and powerful the next. The addition of the organ is a total surprise, but it fits so naturally that you cannot imagine the song without it. It adds depth and color, tying everything together in a way that feels both deliberate and inspired. The track has flashes of At The Drive In at their most experimental, but with a tighter and more intentional focus. As the proper opening track to Romanticide, “Myriad” sets the tone beautifully, bold, inventive, and impossible to ignore.
“Dystenia” slows things down and lets Larker lean into a more experimental side, layering harmonies and emotion with careful precision. The instrumentation feels stripped back but never subdued; each element has space to breathe and show its own vulnerability. Around the halfway point, the guitar begins to speak for itself, weaving expressive lines that feel conversational, almost intimate. Larker’s vocal delivery carries a confident flair reminiscent of Morrissey, but with a modern self-awareness that feels fresh and grounded. This is a track made for late nights and wandering thoughts, the kind of song you can get lost in as it unfolds around you. “Dystenia” doesn’t just play; it lingers, exploring your mind as much as you explore its sound.
“Here” arrives as the fourth track on Romanticide and immediately catches your attention with its feverish, infectious melody. The instrumentation feels light and warm, full of movement and color, while Larker’s darker lyrics create a striking contrast that gives the song real depth. The balance between brightness and shadow makes it endlessly replayable; soft and inviting on the surface, but layered with something much more haunting underneath. You can tell this track took time to craft, likely built across multiple sessions until every detail found its place. Around the halfway point, a spoken word section is introduced, adding texture and personality without disrupting the flow. It is playful, strange, and completely captivating. A standout moment that shows Larker is not afraid to take creative risks.
“Believe it!” is pure fun. The guitars lock in with the drums and bass, and the whole thing lights up, then Larker’s trademark vocal comes in and pushes it over the top. It is strange in the best way, clever, and occasionally dizzying, but always cool. This is a track you can pull apart and admire piece by piece. Listen once for the guitar lines, again for the drum pocket, and then focus on the bass movement; finally, pay attention to the vocal phrasing. Each layer has its own story. Some flashes brush against The Strokes for a moment before sliding back into Larker’s own spell. It is inventive, tightly played, and worth talking about.
“In The Dark” lands as track six on Romanticide, bringing a more colorful and expressive tone to the record. The song’s progression unfolds naturally, carried by guitars that shimmer and take the spotlight with confidence. It is one of those tracks that feels instantly enjoyable, the kind you can put on repeat without ever getting tired of it. There is something undeniably catchy about the way everything clicks together; simple, effective, and full of personality. You can almost imagine this one spinning in heavy rotation on KCRW, where it would sound right at home.
“Thunder” opens with a pulsing drum machine and a deep, steady bassline that immediately locks you in. The groove feels effortless, carrying a bright undercurrent that gives the song its charm. There are shades of Choir Boy and Ramona Falls in its sound, but with a lighter, more uplifting energy that feels uniquely its own. It is simple in the best way: clean, confident, and timeless. The track captures that classic indie spirit but filters it through a fresh lens, the kind of song you could imagine Arcade Fire or Local Natives spinning for inspiration. “Thunder” doesn’t need to do too much; it just feels right from start to finish.
“Let go” acts as a brief interlude, a calm, spacey soundscape that bridges the final moments of Romanticide. It feels like floating — ethereal and hypnotic — giving listeners a moment to catch their breath before the emotional weight of the closing track. It’s short but effective, the calm before the final storm.
“Victory” closes Romanticide on a breathtaking note. It begins quietly, with gentle guitars and a sense of calm reflection, much like the moment just before dawn. The instrumentation feels intentional and graceful, each sound placed precisely where it belongs. As the song unfolds, it begins to rise; slowly, steadily, and with purpose. The guitars swell, the rhythm grows stronger, and Larker’s voice carries a mix of hope and surrender. It is a beautiful build, one that feels both triumphant and deeply emotional. By the time it reaches its peak, you realize you do not want it to end. Victory is more than just a closing track; it is a moment of release, the perfect ending to a record that leaves you wanting more.
Romanticide feels less like an album and more like a journey. From the haunting pull of “Intro” to the emotional swell of “Victory,” Larker takes you somewhere personal, strange, and completely alive. Each track feels intentional but never predictable, blurring the lines between dreamlike reflection and raw honesty.
There’s a natural flow to it all. The songs breathe, shift, and build without ever losing their sense of purpose. Nothing feels forced. You can tell this album was crafted with care, not just produced to sound good but built to mean something. It’s the kind of record you can sit with — headphones on, world off — and let it take over.
By the time “Victory” closes out, you’re left quiet, maybe even a little stunned. Romanticide doesn’t just play through; it lingers. It’s bold, vulnerable, and effortlessly human — the kind of album that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place.